Ranking the 7 best goals from the summer's friendlies
Draw judgments from the pre-season at your own peril.
Threadbare squads travel the world in hopes of garnering new fans and selling a few kits whilst pivotal players privy to World Cup play enjoy the tail ends of their respective summer sojourns.
Pre-season sides littered with academy products provide a sample from which little judgment should be gleaned, though there are no shortages of dazzling goals, both from the world's top stars and those fighting for a spot in first-team squads.
Here's a look at the seven best goals from the preseason, plus another goal that deserves special recognition:
7. Andreas Pereira (Manchester United) vs. Liverpool
What perfect free kick from Pereria #ICC2018 #MUFC #LFC #MUNLFC pic.twitter.com/VFWfNwH4SR
— Jonah Takalua (@Destaquito2) July 28, 2018
6. Patrik Schick (Roma) vs. Tottenham
Schick gets the early goal for Roma #ICC2018 #THFC #ASRoma pic.twitter.com/LSrFSFHnT8
— Jonah Takalua (@Destaquito2) July 26, 2018
5. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) vs. Juventus
What a finish from Bale #RMAJUV #RMAJUVE #ICC2018 pic.twitter.com/bRSOBynkDI
— Jonah Takalua (@Destaquito2) August 4, 2018
4. Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) vs. Atletico Madrid
Il giovane talento dell'#Arsenal ruba la scena: dribbling, corsa e bomba all'incrocio. Applausi per Smith-Rowe 😍 pic.twitter.com/7MQRXwb4Pz
— Goal Italia (@GoalItalia) July 26, 2018
3. Alex Grimaldo (Benfica) vs. Juventus
Fantastic free kick from Grimaldo holy hell #SLBJFC #ICC2018 #SLBJuve pic.twitter.com/qU7M5AhUH1
— Jonah Takalua (@Destaquito2) July 28, 2018
2. Luca Clemenza (Juventus) vs. Benfica
2 great goals in this one, Clemenza levels it for #Juventus #SLBJFC #ICC2018 #SLBJuve pic.twitter.com/LaYLReKZFB
— Jonah Takalua (@Destaquito2) July 28, 2018
1. Xherdan Shaqiri (Liverpool) vs. Manchester United
Shaqiri with an ok goal in his #LFC debut #ICC2018 #MUFC #LFC #MUNLFC pic.twitter.com/elJiUGdeEs
— Jonah Takalua (@Destaquito2) July 28, 2018
Special: Nino Kouter (NS Mura) vs. Domzale
This gem from the Slovenian top flight doesn't qualify as a preseason goal, but it is objectively the finish of the summer. Nino Kouter, take a bow, that is absolutely disgusting.
⚽Nino Kouter in njegova čarovnija! 😮 #PLTS #MURDOM pic.twitter.com/nz9nRhysvl
— #PLTS (@PrvaLigaSi) August 5, 2018